Sundays & Appointed Weekdays:
Matins - 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy - 10:00 am
Summer Schedule for Sundays & Appointed Weekdays:
Matins - 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy - 9:30 am
March 1 - March 8, 2020
Sunday, March 1st
Epistle Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
Gospel Matthew 6:14-21
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Sunday School
DSG Pizza Party and Costume Return
Monday, March 2nd
Clean Monday | Kathara Deftera | Great Lent Begins
6:00 pm Great Compline
7:15 pm Orthodoxy 101
Tuesday, March 3rd
7:30 am Men's Fellowship
6:00 pm Great Compline
Wednesday, March 4th
11:00 am Studies in the Faith
5:30 pm Greek School
6:00 pm Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Thursday, March 5th
11:00 am ASL Luncheon
5:30 pm Greek School
6:00 pm Great Compline
Friday, March 6th
7:00 pm Salutations to the Theotokos
Saturday, March 7th
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy: Saturday of the Souls, the Miracle of the Koliva and St. Theodore of Tyre
Sunday, March 8th
Epistle Hebrews 11:24-26; 32-40
Gospel John 1:43-51
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Myrrhberrers Meet & Greet
Koliva Offering
We prepare for Great Lent with three, beautiful, and unique Divine Liturgies, The Saturday of the Souls
It is tradition for families to bring the names of their family and loved ones who have fallen asleep in the hope of the Resurrection and a small Koliva
Koliva is very significant. It symbolizes our theology, death, and Resurrection.
The wheat represents the promise of everlasting life, the raisins the sweetness of life, and the spices are symbols of plenty
Please join us on Saturday, February 22nd, February 29th, and March 7th for the three
Saturdays of the Souls
Prosfora Offering
Every Divine Liturgy, the priest uses a special bread, called Prosforo, to prepare the Holy Eucharist. The priest cuts the bread in a special way and prays to God, the Theotokos, the saints, the prophets, and the angels for their prayers and intercessions… The priest also prays for all those living and those who have passed away. Following the Divine Liturgy, the remainder is handed out to all the people.
This bread is a beautiful offering by an individual or a family. The Church is always in need of Prosfora.
Please contact the Church Office for the recipe and to schedule a time to bring Prosfora.
At and Around Annunciation Sacramento
Check out all the events at our church and around Sacramento!
http://www.annunciationsac.org/at-and-around-sacramento/
Please visit our parish website for the monthly calendar and to subscribe
http://www.AnnunciationSac.org/master-calendar/
The Sunday Bulletin from March 1, 2020
And the results are in! We are very proud of all our dance groups! Anthema and Filarakia, in Division III, received participation awards for their performances! Nea Genia, performing a set of dances from the island of Crete in Division II, Advanced Primary Category, received costume award and second place! Hara, performing a set of dances from Pontos in Division I, Intermediate Category, received fourth place! And Deos, performing a set of dances from Roumlouki in Division I, Advance Senior, received the Division I sweepstakes! We would also like to congratulate Danae Magoulias, Director of Events, for receiving the Metropolitan Anthony Leadership Award for her leadership and initiative in planning and coordinating this year’s FDF! Congratulations to all our groups and all the participants! We are very proud of your hard work and dedication! Here’s to FDF 2021!!!
Thursday, March 5th 11:00 am - 1:30 pm Annunciation Hellenic Center Please rsvp to Mary Kondos by March 2nd 5328 Spilman Ave. Sacramento, Ca. 95819 457-2196 mkondos@att.net
Please join us for tea & treats on Sunday, March 8th, following the Divine Liturgy. Girls, 2nd grade and up Please RSVP to Nicki Hansen Nicki.D.Hansen@gmail.com
Pilgrimage: Our Journey Through Great Lent A Lenten Central Valley Youth Retreat 6th Grade through High School from the Greek Orthodox Churches in the Central Valley St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, Stockton, CA. | March 28th Sign-up now at: https://annunciationsac.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/119/responses/new
Parish Oratorical Festival | March 29th District Oratorical Festival (At Annunciation Sacramento) | April 5th Topics are out now! Start preparing your speech today! https://www.goarch.org/-/2020-st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival-topics Please contact Andonia Cakouros or Yianni Magoulias for more information
Great Lent calls us to prepare for the Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are two main components to Great Lent; fasting and prayer. As St. Synklitiki of Alexandria, a 4th century desert mother and monastic, writes, “Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous things, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away”. St. John Chrysostom also writes, “The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means; keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things– herein is the true value of the fast. St. John Chrysostom again writes, which summarizes the goal of this season, “For what good is it if we abstain from meat and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?” With this mentality we should approach fasting and Great Lent! Fasting, without prayer, is simply dieting, which is why we increase our prayer life through attendance and participation in the services of our Church. During Great Lent, we pray three beautiful and unique Church services; The Great Compline, the Presanctified Liturgy, and the Salutations to the Theotokos. We invite you to pray with us these services during Great Lent: Great Compline | Mondays 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy | Wednesdays 6:00 pm Salutations to the Theotokos | Fridays 7:00 pm
Join us every Wednesday of Great Lent to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the beautiful, Lenten celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Following the Divine Liturgy, you are invited to our Annunciation Hellenic Center for a Lenten meal hosted by our ministries.
Homily offered by Fr. Timothy Robinson on Sunday, March 1st
Please visit our parish YouTube channel for this week's Homily.
As part of our outreach ministry, we are pleased to announce that divine services at our church are now being streamed live on Facebook! The purpose of this ministry is to provide an opportunity to view our church services for those who are not physically able to make it to services, like shut-ins and college students away from home, as well as people interested in learning about our precious Orthodox Christian Faith. Again, this is not a substitute for those who are able to come to church.
Recordings of the Sunday Homily will still be posted to our YouTube channel.
What does the Bible say about Stewardship?
The Bible says we should give without show, give with regularity and proportion, and give liberally. Most importantly, we should give cheerfully. Let’s all remember this as we look forward to a most wonderful year at Annunciation.
Please remember to fill out your pledge cards for 2020!
In Christ,
Stella Dariotis
Stewardship Chair
Annunciation Sacramento Ministries and Resources
Annunciation Observer
January/February issue of the Annunciation Observer
Sunday School
Register for the Sunday School 2019-2020 academic year! Sunday School has begun!
https://annunciationsac.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/64/responses/new
Annunciation Dance Ministry
Greek Dance practice is on Sunday following the Divine Liturgy. Being a ministry of the Church, all dancers and directors are expected to attend the Divine Liturgy in order to participate in practice.
Ta Paidakia | 12:15-1:00 pm
Filarakia | 12:15-1:00 pm
Athema | 12:15-1:00 pm
Nea Genia | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Hara | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Deos | 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Save these important dates!
Annunciation Greek School
Please support our Annunciation Greek School by attending our Peloponnesian Society's Apokriatiko Glendi!
February 29th | 6:00 pm Appetizers, 7:00 Dinner | Annunciation Hellenic Center
Tickets: Adults/$50 - Children/$20 - 5 and Under/Free
Katina Argyropoulos
(916) 307-9375
ArgyropoulosKathy@gmail.com
Sophia Callas
(916) 718-4094
Sophia@larsencazanis.com
Ioannis Kazanis
(916) 505-1891
Ioannis.Kazanis@gmail.com
Our Annunciation Greek School is now Ellinomatheia certified! If you would like to take the certification test, please look for more information on their website: http://greekschoolannunciation.org/ellinomatheia/
Annunciation Senior League
ASL February Luncheon | February 6th at St. Katherine
Please RSVP to Mary Kondos by Feb. 3rd | 5328 Spilman Ave. Sacramento, CA. 95819 (916) 457-2196
ASL February Board Meeting | February 20th
Altar Guild
Please visit us on our parish website for information and schedule
http://www.annunciationsac.org/altar-guild/
Christine may be contacted at cdariotis@golyon.com or (916) 412-8112
Rula may be contacted at (916) 606-2193
10th Annual Hellenic Golf Classic - June 1, 2020
Save the date for our 11th annual Hellenic Golf Classic on MONDAY JUNE 1, 2020
At and Around Annunciation Sacramento
Check out all the events at our church and around Sacramento!
http://www.annunciationsac.org/at-and-around-sacramento/
Acolytes
Young men ages 8 and up are welcome to learn about our faith by serving in the Holy Altar. Please contact Yianni Magoulias (Magoulias@AnnunciationSac.org) for inquiries.
Youth Ministries
On the first Monday of every month, our Youth Ministries will gather for a short prayer service, followed by meetings supervised by a parent adviser, and with the spiritual guidance of Fr. James, Fr. Timothy, and Yianni. These brief, 1-hour meetings will allow our youth to take ownership of their own ministry by planning events and philanthropies, while growing together in Christ, as well as gaining leadership skills. We are very excited about this new format and are thankful for your prayers and support.
Meet our Youth Ministries!
GOYA | 9-12th grade
Jr. GOYA | 6-8th Grade
JOY | 3-5th Grade
Upcoming Events:
Parish Contact
Have you moved? Do you have a new number? Please notify the Church Office to stay up to date with everything happening at our parish!
Parish Communications
In the fast-pace society we live in today, internet communications are the norm.
Please follow us online and on social media.
Parish Website: http://www.annunciationsac.org/
Parish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annunciation.sacramento/
Parish Instagram: @AnnunciationSac
Parish Twitter: @AnnunciationSac
Parish YouTube: Annunciation Sac
Annunciation Young Professionals: https://www.facebook.com/groups/310609672670680/
Annunciation Bookstore: https://www.facebook.com/AnnunciationBookstore/
Sacramento Greek Festival: https://www.facebook.com/sacramentogreekfestival/
Hellenic Golf Classic: https://www.facebook.com/hellenicgolfclassic/
Observer Articles are due on the 10th of the month
Please visit our parish website for the monthly calendar and to subscribe
http://www.AnnunciationSac.org/master-calendar/
Prosfora Offering
Every Divine Liturgy, the priest uses a special bread, called Prosforo, to prepare the Holy Eucharist. The priest cuts the bread in a special way and prays to God, the Theotokos, the saints, the prophets, and the angels for their prayers and intercessions… The priest also prays for all those living and those who have passed away. Following the Divine Liturgy, the remainder is handed out to all the people.
This bread is a beautiful offering by an individual or a family. The Church is always in need of Prosfora.
Please contact the Church Office for the recipe and to schedule a time to bring Prosfora.
Metropolis of San Francisco Ministries and Resources
St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center
Every summer, hundreds of children and teenagers from throughout the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco gather for our summer camp program. The Orthodox Christian faith comes alive for young people as they develop lifelong friendships and memories that will last forever. Summer camp activities include: arts and crafts, faith and culture, athletics, swimming, canoeing, campfires, archery, hikes, daily worship services, a visit to the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring, and Orthodox life discussions.
http://gosfyouth.org/basic-information/
Annunciation Scholarship for St. Nicholas Ranch Summer Camp Sponsored by the Annunciation Endowment Fund
Interested in going to Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch this summer?
Apply now for Annunciation’s St. Nicholas Ranch Summer Camp Scholarship by sending your completed St. Nicholas Ranch registration confirmation to Yianni Magoulias (Magoulias@AnnunciationSac.org)
Application Deadline: Coming next summer!
Registration for Summer Camp 2020 opens January 1, 2020.
Session I: July 12-18
Session II: July 19-25
Session III: July 26-Aug 1
2020 WINTER CAMP | January 2-5th
Join the Metropolis youth for WINTER CAMP at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center!
6th - 12th grade | $250 per person
Interested in going? Contact Yianni Magoulias!
For more information, please visit: http://gosfyouth.org/goya-winter-camp
Youth and Young Adult Ministries - San Francisco
Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult Christmas Reception
Friday, December 13th | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Metropolis House
Young Adult Winter Retreat in Lake Tahoe
January 17-20, 2020 | $265 (three nights of lodging and all meals)
Young Adult Lenten Retreat
Information coming soon!
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Ministries and Resources
Hellenic College Holy Cross, Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Hellenic College Holy Cross is a rare institution of higher learning with a higher purpose. Hellenic College Holy Cross serves the Archdiocese and the world by training and educating clergy, theologians, and lay leaders in their undergraduate and graduate studies. You can learn more about Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School by visiting their website, www.hchc.edu
www.HCHC.edu
Ionian Village
Ionian Village is not just another summer camp; it is like nothing you have ever experienced. The campers and Staff come not only to understand their Orthodox Faith and Hellenic Culture in a more realistic and tangible way, but also to meet and interact with other young people just like them from all over the country. Through this interaction, their eyes are opened as to what the reality of being an Orthodox Christian in this world truly should be: to be people who live Christ-centered lives, to be people of love. " Applications open on March 4, 2020.
https://www.ionianvillage.org/summer-camp
IV Next (for participants aged 19-24)
June 1-12
SUMMER CAMP (for campers currently in 9th-12th grades)
Session One:
June 20-July 9
Session Two:
July 19-August 7
St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write about and defend their faith. The purpose of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is to give teenagers an opportunity to learn, write, and speak about their Orthodox Christian Faith, Church, and Heritage. This process will enhance their understanding and appreciation of their identity as Greek Orthodox Christians and cultivate spiritual growth and maturity. The overall Oratorical program is called an Oratorical Festival rather than a contest to minimize the competitive spirit and emphasize a joyful learning experience.
https://www.goarch.org/oratorical
Parish Oratorical Festival: March 29, 2020
District Oratorical Festival (hosted by Annunciation Sacramento): April 5, 2020
CrossRoad
What does it mean to travel the road of the Cross of Christ in your life, for your life?
CrossRoad is an engaging 10-day summer institute for Orthodox Christian high school juniors and seniors of all jurisdictions that takes place every summer on the campus of Hellenic College Holy Cross in Brookline, Massachusetts. Students from the United States and Canada are invited to take part in an exciting summer vocations exploration program designed to help them discern their life callings and match their God-given gifts with the needs of the world. Applications open on Friday, November 8, 2019.
http://www.crossroadinstitute.org/
Applications open on Friday, November 8, 2019.
Session One | Boston, MA: June 13 - June 23
Session Two | Boston, MA: June 30 - July 10
Session Three | Chicago, IL: July 20 - July 30
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today we commence our journey of the Great Lent that leads us inexorably to the Holy Passion of the Lord and the Pascha of unending joy. It is a time of determination and concentration, one in which we are encouraged to abstain from certain foods and drink, to practice more active charity and philanthropy, and to look within at the values and principles by which we live our lives.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with leading Trustees of the “Friends of Saint Nicholas,” held an informational national call-in on the project and the restart of construction at Ground Zero on Wednesday, February 26.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.
Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4.
Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.
Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21
The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Forgiveness Sunday
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.
The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.
This Saint, who was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (Baalbek in present-day Lebanon), was an idolater and led a licentious life. Being beautiful beyond telling, she had many lovers, and had acquired great riches. Yet brought to repentance by a monk named Germanus, and baptized by Bishop Theodotus, she distributed to the poor all her ill-gotten gains, and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to the life of asceticism. Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded, according to some, under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117, according to others, under Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138.
Holy martyr Hesychius lived during the reign of king Maximian in 302. He was the first and the leader in the royal palace and the Senate, because he was magistrianus by office. When Maximian ordered that all Christians who were royal soldiers ought to be deprived of their belts (which were a sign of their royal merit) and live as civilians and without honour, many Christians preferred to live without any outward honour due to this illegal order than to be honoured and lose their soul. St. Hesychius was numbered with these Christians as well. When the king heard this, he ordered that the saint ought to be stripped of the expensive clothes, which he used to wear, and be dressed with a shabby mantle without sleeves woven from hair and to be as disgraced and disdained as to consort with women.
When this had been carried out, the king invited him and asked him: "Aren't you ashamed, Hesychius, that you lost the honour and office of magistrianus and that you have been debased to this kind of life? Or maybe you don't know that the Christians, whose way of life you preferred, have no power to restore you to your previous great honour and office?" The saint replied: "Your honour, o king, is temporary but the honour and glory which Christ gives is eternal and without end." Because of these words the king got angry and ordered his men to tie a great millstone around the saint's neck and then to throw him in the middle of river Orontus, which lies in Coele Syria and which is commonly called Oronge. Thus, the blessed man received the crown of martyrdom from the Lord.
Saint Nicholas Planas was born in 1851 A.D. on the island of Naxos in Greece. He was married as a teenager and soon after ordained to the diaconate and then the priesthood. His wife reposed soon after and so he assumed the burden of being a widowed father and a parish priest. He was known for his zeal in serving the liturgy, especially his habit of serving the Divine Liturgy every day for 50 years. Many altar boys would see him radiating light or raised off the ground while serving the liturgy. Being so revered by his parishioners, he became known as “Papa,” which is an affectionate term for a parish priest. Papa Nicholas reposed in 1932 and was formally canonized as a saint in 1992.
The Martyrs, who were from Amasia, were fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore the Tyro (see Feb. 17). They were betrayed to the Governor Asclepiodotus as Christians, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). After many torments, Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified; Basiliscus was not slain together with them, but was shut up in prison, in the hope that with time he might change his mind and sacrifice to the idols. He was beheaded on May 22; see also the account on that day.
This Saint, who was from Lycia in Asia Minor, lived there for many years as a hermit, and then went to Palestine. There he built the great Lavra by the Jordan River, where a lion served him with great obedience and devotion. One day the lion came looking for Gerasimus that he might feed him, but his disciples took the lion to the place where they had buried the Saint shortly before. The lion fell at the Saint's grave and, after roaring with grief, died at that very place. Saint Gerasimus reposed in 475.
Saint Mark the Ascetic lived in the fifth century and according to Nicephorus Callistus was a disciple of Saint John Chrysostom's. Besides his blameless life of asceticism, Saint Mark was distinguished for his writings, some of which are preserved in Volume One of the Philokalia. His writings were held in such great esteem that in old times there was a saying, "Sell all that thou hast, and buy Mark."
Of our righteous Fathers commemorated today, Saint Mark of Athens lived in the fourth century. Born in Athens of pagan parents, he believed in Christ, was baptized, and forsook the world, living the eremitical life in extreme privation in the deep wilderness beyond Egypt. His life is recounted by the monk Serapion, who found Mark in deep old age and about to depart this lfe, not having seen a man for ninety-five years. Serapion gave him burial after his blessed repose, even as Paphnutius had done for Saint Onuphrius (see June 12).
This saint lived during the reign of emperor Decius in 251. He came from the town of Nazareth. He left his hometown and went to the city of Mandron, in the province of Pamphylia. There he stayed at a place called Karmela or Karmena cultivating a garden which he used to water and plant with various vegetables. From this garden he obtained what is necessary for life. He had such an upright and simple mind that, when he met those who wished to arrest him and saw that they greeted him, he also greeted in return from the bottom of his soul and heart. When they told him that governor Publius called the saint to go to him, the saint answered with simplicity: "What does the governor need me, since I am a Christian? Let him call those who think the way he does and have the same religion with him." So, the blessed man was tied and brought to the governor, who tried to move him to sacrifice to the idols. But the saint sighed from the bottom of his heart, cursed the tyrant and confirmed his faith in Christ with his confession, saying that it is not possible to be moved from it even though he might be tortured cruelly. So, for this reason they nailed his feet and made the saint run in front of the governor's coach. But the saint fainted in the street. Having fallen on his knees, he prayed and, thus, he commended his holy soul to the hands of God.
Julian the Apostate, knowing that the Christians purify themselves by fasting most of all during the first week of the Fast -- which is why we call it Clean Week -- planned to defile them especially at that time. Therefore he secretly commanded that during those days the markets be filled with foods that had been defiled with the blood of animals offered in sacrifice to idols. But by divine command the Martyr Theodore (see Feb. 17) appeared during sleep to Eudoxius, then Archbishop of Constantinople. The Saint revealed to him the tyrant's plan, then told him to call the faithful together immediately on Monday morning and prevent them from purchasing those foods, but rather to make kollyva to supply their needs. The bishop asked what kollyva might be, and the Saint answered, "Kollyva is what we call boiled wheat in Euchaita." Thus, the purpose of the Apostate was brought to nought, and the pious people who were preserved undefiled for the whole of Clean Week, rendered thanks to the Martyr on this Saturday, and celebrated his commemoration with kollyva. These things took place in 362. Wherefore, the Church keeps this commemoration each year to the glory of God and the honour of the Martyr.
These holy Bishops were sent to Cherson on the Black Sea by Hermon, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the days of Diocletian, about the year 300, to preach the Gospel. Ephraim and Basileus were sent first. Basileus raised to life the dead son of a local ruler, because of which many were baptized. Those who remained in their unbelief, however, dragged him through the streets until he died. Ephraim, refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, was beheaded. After them, Euguene, Agathodorus, Capito, and Elpitius were sent by the Bishop of Jerusalem as heralds of the Faith, but they also were slain by the ungodly. Last of all, the Bishop of Jerusalem sent Aetherius; he was drowned during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great.
For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.
Theophylact was from the East; his native city is unknown. In Constantinople he became a close friend of Tarsius, who afterwards became Patriarch of Constantinople (see Feb. 25).Theophylact was made Bishop of Nicomedia. After the death of Saint Tarsius, his successor Nicephorus (see June 2) called together a number of Bishops to help him in fighting the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who reigned from 813-820. Among them was Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis (celebrated Dec. 26), who had attended the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 - he was exiled three times for the sake of the holy icons, and for defying the Emperor Theophilus' command to renounce the veneration of the icons, was scourged from head to foot until his whole body was one great wound, from which he died eight days later, about the year 830; Joseph of Thessalonica (see July 14); Michael of Synnada (see May 23); Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus (see Aug. 8); and Saint Theophylact, who boldly rebuked Leo to his face, telling him that because he despised the long-suffering of God, utter destruction was about to overtake him, and there would be none to deliver him. For this, Theophylact was exiled to the fortress of Strobilus in Karia of Asia Minor, where, after 30 years of imprisonment and hardship, he gave up his holy soul about the year 845. Leo the Armenian, according to the Saint's prophecy, was slain in church on the eve of our Lord's Nativity, in 820.
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Today marks the crowning of our salvation, and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Therefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ τὴ Θεοτόκω βοήσωμεν· Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.
Simeron tis sotirias eemon to Kefalaion, ke tu ap’eonos Mystiriu ee fanerosis; o Ios tu Theu, Ios tis Parthenu ghinete, ke Gavri-il tin harin evangelizete. Dio ke eemis syn afto ti Theotoke voisomen; Haire Keharitomeni, o Kyrios meta su.